MFA's Discontent, with War

"The art of war" usually refers to Sun Tzu's military treatise from the 6th century BC, sometimes refers to Machiavelli's book, a fim starring Wesley Snipes released in 2000, or even a Bone Thugs albubm. The MFA isn't using the recognizable term (and obvious pun) for the exhibition that opened today, they're taking a little different approach to the art they're presenting and the title it has been given: War and Discontent. The new installation in the MFA’s Foster Gallery is up through August 5, 2007 and displays three works from the MFA's collection which take their inspiration from historical events as well as a number of other works including contemporary artists. The MFA's Malcolm Rogers says “This exhibition emphasizes the critical role of art in articulating the many emotions we face in time of struggle.”

The three works from the MFA collection are: Edouard Manet’s extraordinary “unfinished” canvas of the Execution of the Emperor Maximilian (1867) which closely followed the posthumous publication of Francisco Lucientes Goya’s unsettling, graphic series of etchings Disasters of War (1810-20; published 1863), and, painted a century later, Pablo Picasso’s Rape of the Sabine Women (1963). The three are augmented to create the exhibition by works from other big names like Chris Burden, Andy Warhol, and Phil Collins. No, not that Phil Collins. Art is a powerful medium for expression and the War and Discontent installation taps the power of the images and artwork created in a time of conflict to provide a powerful installation at the MFA.

Image of The Statue of Liberty, 1986, Andy Warhol courtesy of the MFA